The cheapest (and most expensive) days to travel this Christmas and New Year

Taking a trip during Christmas and New Year's is the perfect opportunity to experience the holidays in a unique and different way. However, because it's a holiday season, flight prices tend to increase. To help travelers on a budget, KAYAK reveals the cheapest (and most expensive) days to get away during this period, as well as the best week to book domestic and international flights and snag a great deal.

When is it cheapest to travel this Christmas?

To begin with, the timing of your trip booking also plays a crucial role if you want to save as much as possible. According to KAYAK data, the best week to book international flights for the lowest prices is December 29th . However, if you prefer to book further in advance, the week of November 24th is also a good option, with fares only slightly higher than the December lows. This week is also the best time to buy tickets for domestic flights.

On the other hand, flying to international destinations on New Year's Eve (December 31st) could result in significant savings compared to other dates. For those who prefer to travel around Christmas, December 22nd offers affordable fares for domestic flights, and December 24th for international flights. Conversely, there are days we should avoid to prevent overpaying. If we're visiting an international destination, December 20th is the most expensive date to fly, while for domestic destinations, the most expensive date is December 28th.

Finally, if we want to avoid flight delays , we must keep in mind that some days (and even times) are much worse than others for flying. According to 2024 data, the biggest disruptions occurred on December 28th and January 4th and 5th, with almost one in four flights delayed and average delays of more than half an hour.